OzarkFishman Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 Started fishing about 5:45. My 3 year old was throwing a worm and bobber and I was throwing a senko (weightless). Once I had my boy wormed up, I took my first cast ... started the slow reel back and wham ... fish on!!! It was my biggest smallmouth for below the dam. I have caught a lot of quality largemouth there, but never a quality smallmouth like this one. I'd say it is easily 14 inches pushing 15. Not a monster, but definitely a good fight. We fished until 6:20 and caught one more bass(short trip ... but the 3 year old loved it). We saw a ton of big fish surfacing(carp, gar, spoonbill). My boy would always reel in fast and cast towards the big splash! Good luck on the water, OzarkFishman
Members river angler man Posted September 15, 2011 Members Posted September 15, 2011 sound like fun I haven't tried there in a while. Did your kid catch any?
OzarkFishman Posted September 15, 2011 Author Posted September 15, 2011 This time he didn't. He usually catches more numbers than me, but he was more interested in looking at the dead paddlefish and casting towards every big movement (he had a blast). Definitely check it out. The fish were hitting pretty good yesterday. Missed a few more and hooked up with one gar (for about 5 seconds).
Daveinozark Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 This time he didn't. He usually catches more numbers than me, but he was more interested in looking at the dead paddlefish and casting towards every big movement (he had a blast). Definitely check it out. The fish were hitting pretty good yesterday. Missed a few more and hooked up with one gar (for about 5 seconds). that's the only thing about fishing down there. You never know what you're going to snag and snap goes your pole from a gar or paddlefish. I'd be careful with the little one. It should get better down there with more rain and the water starts flowing again. I think there are a few LM bass stuck in that pool, but they've probably been caught dozens of times. Looks like you got that SM on the river though. Definetly have the full variety of fish there.
Arofishing Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 That spot was my first experience fishing on an Ozark stream back in early June. I caught something huge on two spoons on two separate occasions that inevitably broke my 8lb test line. It was a rush. Whatever it was charged me once and brushed my leg. I think I may have screamed like a little girl and run towards shore, but I don't remember. My friend caught a similar sized large mouth there on that trip too.
Jack Jones Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 As a point of reference, are you talking about the parking area right below the darn next to the power plant? Are you guys just walking the bank and throwing in? I've never hit that spot but want to. Was thinking of putting in my kayak there, but I'm unsure if I'd be able to paddle back up to the parking lot from down river. I'll admit, the thought of hooking a gar, or anything bigger than 12-15 inches that isn't a trout, a tree branch, or a rock sounds kind of cool. "Thanks to Mother Mercy, Thanks to Brother Wine, Another night is over and we're walking down the line" - David Mallett
Trout Commander Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 As a point of reference, are you talking about the parking area right below the darn next to the power plant? Are you guys just walking the bank and throwing in? I've never hit that spot but want to. Was thinking of putting in my kayak there, but I'm unsure if I'd be able to paddle back up to the parking lot from down river. I'll admit, the thought of hooking a gar, or anything bigger than 12-15 inches that isn't a trout, a tree branch, or a rock sounds kind of cool. The river below the dam has been pretty slow as dry as it has been. I am sure you could paddle back up no problem. If it gets to the point where the spillway resembles Niagara I wouldn't try it though. I have spent most of my money on fly fishing and beer. The rest I just wasted. The latest Trout Commander blog post: Niangua River Six Pack
Arofishing Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 When I was there you definitely could have paddled back up. The only problem I'd foresee is that the river wasn't that long. We walked the whole thing in less than two hours (and we're pretty patient anglers, staying at spots for quite a while). I was positively shocked to see the water just disappear. I don't know if it goes underground or what, but once you get to this little private bridge *poof*. A trickle out the other side. It made no sense to me.
OzarkFishman Posted September 15, 2011 Author Posted September 15, 2011 The best way to fish that stretch is with waders, but don't be surprised when 40 - 60 pound fish get within inches of you ... Don't feel bad Arofishing ... I may have jumped/screamed like a girl a few times below the dam. One of my students is going to make me a rope lure to catch some gar. I will definitely attach pictures!!!
Jack Jones Posted September 16, 2011 Posted September 16, 2011 Now that it sounds like it could end up like an episode of "River Monsters", I truly am intrigued. "Thanks to Mother Mercy, Thanks to Brother Wine, Another night is over and we're walking down the line" - David Mallett
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